HPV Vaccine and testing; time to wait before sex?

[lainet.livejournal.com]

I had a rather frustrating consultation with my doctor today, who not only acts like I'm the whore of Babylon every time I ask for an STI test, but clearly didn't know much about Gardasil, the HPV vaccine. She wouldn't give it to me because she said my insurance wouldn't cover it (they did) and when I said I'd pay out of pocket, then told me they didn't have any in the office. I'm going back in there at 8:30 tomorrow to get my first shot, but I'm pretty much going to change gynos ASAP.

Background info: I'm 24 with no abnormal pap tests.

Here are my questions--has anyone with no abnormal pap tests under 30 gotten the HPV test, to determine what, if any strains of HPV they already have? I was thinking about calling my local PP, but I'm not sure there's really a point if I'm already getting the vaccine. Either it protects me or it doesn't; seems like a pretty binary thing.

Also (another question she couldn't answer), it seems as if I might be entering into a new relationship. I haven't done anything with this new guy yet, but should I wait for six months until I've had all the shots? Let's assume that condoms don't work 100% against the spread of HPV, so even if I was careful and used them correctly, I'd still be putting myself at risk while I was in the vaccination process.

I'm pretty sure I hold out six months before I have sex (it won't be a picnic, though)--but do I need to? Has anyone read any information about how long it takes before you're "covered" so to speak against the four strains of HPV that Gardasil deals with?

Any advice? Thanks in advance.

Comments

[aechei.livejournal.com]

well, the vaccine doesn't cover all the zillion strains of the virus,so the only thing to be gained by waiting is (on the off chance that he has hpv at all) that if he has only the forms the virus covers you will be getting that extra protection.

the vaccine is pretty new to be knowing that sort of detail, anyways.

and that is not really what it is for. it is to reduce the risk of cervical cancer by stopping the strains that cause MOST (not all) of it. the fact that it also covers some wart strains is a bonus. it's not like vaccinating against say...tetanus, where if you are exposed you can be reasonably sure that you are safe--there is only one tetanus, and manymany hpv's.

[anamarie13.livejournal.com]

HPV can be spread through skin to skin contact so a condom would help but not that much in the grande scheme of it all. And yeah. CHange your GYN!!

[scien.livejournal.com]

Actually, condoms are quite effective (http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/354/25/2645) at preventing the spread of HPV. Not nearly as effective as they are for something like HIV which is transmitted by fluids, but certainly not negligable.

I definitely agree on changing gyns!

OP - I'm sorry, I don't know when you are considered vaccinated. Something to ask a more competent gyn, I'm afraid.

[beachbanshee.livejournal.com]

My daughter just had her first shot last Thursday. Since it is a series of three the nurse said the innoculation would not have its full effectiveness until all three shots were given. I would change you dr pronto. Judgemental drs have no business being in practice. My pediatrician posted a notice that they now have the Gardasil Vaccine available. Good luck!

[farmer-emma.livejournal.com]

Go to another doctor.